George Achola, the mastermind behind St. Alberts Ulanda’s handball prowess, has exuded confidence in clinching the national title in the ongoing Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) in Machakos.
Ulanda beat Central’s Nyathuna Secondary 27-16 in their opening match.
“We possess the winning formula for this season’s trophy. Today, the girls showcased their sheer dominance, fueling our unwavering optimism,” he said.
The tactician, however, cited the game as a hard-fought win, acknowledging their opponent's prowess.
“The game was very tight. We are facing champions of different regions and I am glad we were able to pull off a win in the opener."
With a burning desire to reclaim the national title for Nyanza after a seven-year hiatus, Achola draws inspiration from past glories, notably St. Anne Sega's triumph.
Driven by the heartache of last season's regional finals, where victory narrowly slipped through their grasp, Achola emphasised the determination they have to clinch this year's crown.
“Coming into today’s game, we were positive. We want to take the title back to Nyanza. Winning our first game is a major morale booster,” he stated.
Last year, Ulanda were eliminated in the Nyanza regional finals by St. Joseph’s Miranga by a narrow margin of 25-23.
Entering the fray with unwavering positivity and a fierce determination to top the pool. “We harbour ambitions of dominating the pool. This triumph serves as a morale boost for our quest.”
They are pitted in Pool 'B' and are pitted against formidable adversaries Murindiko Baptist, North Eastern and Nyathuna.
Acknowledging the gravity of the upcoming clash against North Eastern, Achola revealed plans to strategically alter their approach as they seek to catch their opponent off guard.
“We'll unveil a fresh tactical playbook on Wednesday. Our opponents may have analysed our performance today but they will be in for a rude shock. Adaptability will be pivotal for securing victory,” Achola affirmed.
